Flies In The Ointment

“You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.” Psalms 23:5 

Ecclesiastes 10:1 says, “Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor.” In the Bible, Satan is known as lord of the flies, Beelzebub. This verse describes how flies can spoil something that gives off an attractive, beautiful fragrance. 

In nature, there are several types of flies in the fly family. Butterflies are the largest and most beautiful of the fly family. But what is ironic is that they are also the weakest member of the fly family. The butterfly looks beautiful outwardly, but it is weak internally. Christians can be this way. An example of a “butterfly” Christian would be Eli, the Old Testament high priest. He was majestic to look at in his flowing robe and ornate breastplate, burning incense and doing the high, lofty tasks of the temple of God. Everything looked right on the outside, but inwardly, he was dying. His vision was leaving. He and his family were living in sin. It is possible to come to church and pretend to act spiritually strong on the outside, but you’re not growing on the inside. 

Samson was another “butterfly” type of Christian. He had great moments when the spirit of God came to him and enabled him to do mighty and powerful things. But then he would go home and lay his head in the lap of Delilah and compromise his convictions. Everybody would admire Samson as the anointed man of God he was on the outside, but the truth is, “flies” got in his inner walk, and his life became contaminated.

Psalm 23 says, “He anoints my head with oil.” What did that mean to David? David was a shepherd; when the sheep graze, the flies swarmed around them and sometimes lay eggs in their ears. This would eventually drive the sheep mad. So when a shepherd saw one of his sheep struggling, he would take oil and pour it on their head because something in the oil repelled the flies. God wants to anoint your hearing and thinking. Your thoughts are the battleground for your soul. You may be fighting sin, temptation, fear, worry, anxiety, or depression, but the Lord has a weapon that kills all those “flies” and keeps them far from you. You can have peace. Pray for His anointing oil to flow into your life today. The Lord is your shepherd, and He will take care of you.

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